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Sixth session, almost done! By Grez. Said goodbye to my old and very odd lower back tattoo yesterday, too.

Mario Desa put this Higgs flash on me last night at the Philly tat con.

Got started on my ribs with William Yoneyama today, 40+ degrees outside, nowhere better to be than under air conditioning. About 3-4 hours in, should wrap it up in a few weeks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Couple of new paints from the past week or so.

Ink on washi. My first time trying this kind of painting, and I'm pretty proud of it despite its many faults. I'd like to do much more like this.

I for one am proud to be a (small) part of a forum whose members are posting some of the best tattoos in the world right now.

Had a big session on my back by Marius Meyer.

Hey, so that's the only decent picture I got of my sleeve in its current state. Done in Beijing. It's been fun so far!

2 cardinals and a blue jay with flowers By Matthew Stella of Old Town Ink Done Yesterday 2/1/14

Wolf head from Mike Aul, pretty killer capture

Oh man... there are so many. Alix Ge, Paul Bosch, Sonju Rattler, Herb Aeurbach, Roxx, Kahlil Rintye, Claudia De Sabe, Cassandra Frances, Zac Scheinbaum, Anderson Luna, Andre Malcolm, Mike the Athens, Jesse Swanson, Derrick Snodgrass, Jeff Rassier.. I could go on!

naturally, i am having bryan burk do my back. i am terrified. because ill be travelling i will have to do longer fewer sessions

I have not gotten anything from those shops (yet), but several of my friends have tattoos from the artists at Ace Custom Tattoos and they do solid work. Best shop in Charlotte IMO. I really like Chris Stuart's tattoos, he does really nice traditional stuff. Instagram

Work in progress on my own chest: Done in 3-3,5 hours. In 3 weeks, some colors will be added and then it is finished.

What these guys said. Getting tattooed is meaninful in itself, there's no need to force meaning onto a tattoo. Usually it just means that the strength of the tattoo is compromised for the sake of meaning. Don't get hung up on your idea. A good tattoo has everything to do with the skill and experience of the artist you go to. He or she will be able to design you something that's going to look good, that's going to fit well on your body and will age gracefully with it. The best idea in the world will never make up for poor tattooing. Money isn't important. This is on you for life, go to the best person you can. Pick up extra shifts at work or sell things if you have to. It will be worth it.

Here's my opinion: 1) It's been stated pretty explicitly that cost is not something to be discussed publicly here. If you're unsure, check out some other shops in your area and get a feel for what the hourly rates are. 2) Take the quote out: it's on the middle of your back (if I'm interpreting your sketch correctly) which you WILL regret later if you get into the whole tattoo-thing long term. That is prime real-estate. Also, the images you've chosen probably represent what you are trying to say anyway and the words will ultimately fall-flat in time (my opinion). For what it's worth, I agree with the author of this article regarding text on the body (you might not!): The Letter of the Law: Laws for Lettering and Tattoos | Occult Vibrations 2) I think both of the images could be stronger if placed elsewhere. I would put one on each upper arm. I think the kite-girl could be really cool in the right artist's hands, but I don't think the image is big enough to be a side-piece. Again, that's prime real-estate if you decide to get something larger in the long term. 3) Instead of feathers, why not something like a phoenix or bird-of-paradise or peacock? I think those animals tend to make for a stronger image. Good luck!

here's an out of focus pic of one from two weeks ago my lady and her friend were getting bro tats i had a perfect spot it and was hangin out up there...know how that goes Instagram

Bumping this thread... Current tat-crushes: Dave Regan Ish Johnson Noah Moore Just saying' y'all

Awesome

@semele Grez is KILLING your back!!! You are a trooper to take all that solid black shading in such a large area! Applause!

It's not even the goofiness of the snake that I have the problem with, because I don't think it is goofy*. I get the feeling/idea/intention of the story behind the print without knowing exactly what it is about - that makes it successful on a certain level. What I do not like about it is the slightly funky color registration (each color gets a different block/carving, so it is a lot of blocks - except the blends those are on one block like in the second print with the yellow/gray sleeve) and the sloppy carving of the lines that bothers me - especially in the water. I like to see nice clean printing, colors/registration that don't seem rushed, cleanly carved lines that are clear to read. Others may disagree, and I'm okay with that. I have to remember that these were cranked out like posters during this time period, and there are different schools/styles within ukiyo-e - so I'm not going to like everything that everyone does because of the style differences. Also, with the influence of the West, the styles changed to accommodate the desires of Western buyers (if I'm remembering correctly.) @TaeTae - thank you! I love the negative space between the wings and the rest of the landscape, and the simplicity of the colors. *Edit: that first sentence should say, "I don't think it is all that goofy."

Bit big that eh @Cork :rolleyes:

But those Ukiyo prints are completely acceptable (and awesome). I would say the criticism is lent to the most awkward ones, nothing special than the criticism that any weird looking art receives. For example, Suikoden vs Kabuki; The character portrayal in kabuki is much more cartoonish than the other. That's my opinion. I'm not going to pretend that I really know anything about art, but I just think it's something to consider. Because on the other hand, one could argue that the snake looks goofy. I'm good at destroying my own arguments. VS http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/Sharaku_%281794%29_Sawamura_Yodogor%C5%8D_II_as_Kawatsura_H%C5%8Dgen_and_Band%C5%8D_Zenji_as_Oni_Sadob%C5%8D_%28compressed%29.jpg Good lord that second picture did not embed properly. I'll have to suffice with hyperlink.

Along the bird theme (I adore birds) http://metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/55733?rpp=60&pg=1&ao=on&ft=ukiyo&pos=27 The image won't load. Harumph.

Take a look at the What Makes a Good Tattoo thread in the General Tattoo Discussion part of the forum. Then go through the threads in Tattoo Advice. You'll find basically every answer you've asked for and more.

I think the best course of action is to either keep the entire quote (which I STRONGLY advise you don't do) or no quote at all. Yes, shortening the paragraph is a better choice, but the first line of the quote does not represent the whole meaning. You will feel better with an image that conveys the entire thought than a block of text or half of the meaning. Also, I've noticed in recent years a lot of women think their tattoos need to be light and feminine and wrap around the body. That's fine if that's what you want, but it feels like the whole placement and airy quality is a trend right now. Big bold pieces still look stunning on women. And any tattoo that is placed well (that means not where you put it but how your artist designs it for the area you choose) will highlight the curves and assets of a woman's (or man's) body. When @9Years talks about real-estate, he means it. You have to treat open spaces like real estate if you plan on getting a lot of tattoos. You don't want to build little shacks all over a lot and then decide you want to build a mansion over them. And quotes are only provided by artists and shops. Go there. Where are you located? Perhaps someone can direct you to a decent shop.

Thanks! I live actually in Europe - middle european country - Slovakia... I'm a self-taught artist, but I didn' just hop into arts, I've been basically studying art and making art since kindergarden, I've gone to artistic school (the kind of you go to afternoon after regular school) and now I go to high school where I study graphic arts, which helps me now as well..

It's the butt. I've had just about every shitty spot tattooed (that I will get tattooed anyway), and I'm sure I have mentioned other places within this thread, but the butt surpasses them all in worst-ness by at least 2:1.

welcome!

Here is my chest piece in progress:

I couldn't resist :D

From the British museum, collaboration print by Kunikazu and Yoshitaka. Absolutely stunning!

Seriously. How spoiled are we? Thanks to @ironchef and @russ for sharing and huge congrats on your excellent taste.

Hello all. When I was 18, actually my 18th birthday, I sat down, like the mean, and terminally retarded, punker kid I was and I got Black Flag bars put on my inner left, lower arm. I didn't know how to talk in a shop as green kid, and I'm sure I came across looking very foolish. Foolish seems to be my watch word even today. Considering it was in the Speed Stick days I'm just happy I didn't come out of it with 18 tropical diseases. I didn't know anything about anything. I said to myself, "There is a tattoo shop. I'm gonna get one." Did I ask to see a book? No. Was there flash on the walls? No. Were they fly by night scammers? You bet you're sweet bippy, but hey, I got my first. Kathy, a former skinhead in retrospect, was kind to me. I'm really happy it wasn't say Tatts Thomas' place, so I didn't get the "shoe factory" treatment when I said, "How does that gun work?" Kathy explained to me, as she realized I wasn't knuckle dragging mouth breather, well OK not much of, that gun should be eradicated from my lexicon. She told me about the coils, springs, set screw... just enough to wet my whistle. She even told me a little about capacitors and Charlie Wagner too. "You wanna hold it?" She asked with a sly grin. I took the machine and it certainly didn't feel natural, but it sure did feel right in my hand. She waited a second and stomped on the switch and the Superior 8 wrap (I now know from the "chattering skull" set screw) came to life. Blew my mind right off my shoulders. "You seem nice," She said, "This is my 'bastard' machine. Figure you'll remember to call it a machine from here on out..." About 45 min later I had a crummy tattoo, but it was there. Still is, and I took a ton of poo from my parents over it too. But I was the only guy in my class with a visible tattoo, so I had cred. Sorta. I became a hang around. I ran errands, bought pizza (not that it hurt my feelings), and although I was paying them with my meager dishwasher's wage for apprenticeship that ended when they suddenly, and with out warning shut down, I knew that one day I wanted to be a tattooer myself.

It would have been Jeff Hanneman's 50th birthday today.

I imagine there would be fun psychological factor involved in the neck tattoo. I would constantly be thinking of Gary Oldman in a powder wig. Guess I won't be ready for the Warp Tour anytime soon :(

Haha yeah, the sex scenes in the Witcher 2 are so stiff and awkward. Just found out they ported Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to iPad/iPhone. Did anyone else play that game back when it came out? Don't really play games on the iPad but got it for the nostalgia. Turns out wreaking havoc with the powers of the dark side is just as fun now as it was 10 years ago.

Got this super-awesome psychedelic-multi-eyed-alien-tiger colored in and finished up yesterday (black is healed). Flash and Tattoo by Theo Mindell at Spider Murphy's. Pretty stoked on this lil' guy!! You can check the pretty colors on his instagram: Instagram Or check out a crappy-hotel-room shot attached! What's that saying someone said around here about Tattoos being tough to photo because there ain't no lens that can capture the magic? Totally true in my experience....

Sleeping after a back session sucks. That is all.

We get pictures of Mike Rubendall and Valerie Vargas backpieces on members here posted within an hour. Thank you everyone for being so awesome.

@ironchef that is one hell of a tattoo, truly mindbowing I cant wait to see it finished - - - Updated - - - Valerie just finished my back, just short of a year, maybe 40 hours, its been a ride and I've loved every minute, well apart from the love handles, that sucked :D

Finished up this piece with Martin Lacasse at Olde City Tattoo in Philly. Based off of a Yoshitoshi print from 28 Famous Murders With Verse. Couldn't be happier.

Here's a fully of the progress so far, not just butt teasers from Dana's Instagram (though no one was complaining.....). I had a little fun and struck my best rear "relaxed" pose from my bodybuilding days. My internet personality is way more interesting than in real life. But hey, we're all just in it for the "likes" anyhow, amirite?! :cool:

bryan burk dark horse, los angeles

I had this eagle done by Tim Pausinger at The Pearl about a year ago.

posted my neck eagle and wife's eagle a few times already: Chris David, Government Street Tattoo Victoria, BC

Eagle is definitely next on my list, like the different colours used in this one by Lars Lus Lips in Germany

Finishing sleeves with masks and Juzu beads By Bunshin Horitoshi By Houryu

On a scale between 1 and Bear Mauling, how bad is your pain?

People are wrong. On one leg I've got a shark, a coffee cup, a raven and skull, a mini coffin, a skull and dagger, a smashing pumpkins logo, the letter P, a torch, an apple... and a few more. Don't worry about other people, who sound like they have no tattoos anyway.